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Heavenly bamboo and Wax myrtle: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Wax myrtle Myrica cerifera
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	New Jersey to Central America, Caribbean.See state guides
Sunlight
Sun to part or dappled shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
3–8 ft	20–25 ft
Mature spread
2–5 ft	8–10 ft
USDA hardiness zones
6–9	7–11
Season of interest
Spring flowers; fall–winter foliage and berries	Spring
Garden & wildlife value
Birds and small mammals eat the fruit, but the berries can harm birds.	Native berries feed birds, while dense evergreen branches provide winter cover.
Growing notes
An evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub that can spread by seed and underground stems.	Usually needs male and female plants for berries; allow room for suckers and a potentially tree-sized canopy.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.